Max Finkgräfe before change: 1. FC Köln and RB Leipzig agree!

Max Finkgräfe before change: 1. FC Köln and RB Leipzig agree!

Max Finkgräfe is about to move from 1. FC Köln to RB Leipzig. The 21-year-old defender is considered a suitable alternative to David Raum, whose position in the left defensive area needs important reinforcement for the coming season. The clubs have agreed on a transfer fee of around four million euros kicker reported. Finkgräfe is scheduled to complete the medical check at RB Leipzig on Wednesday, which will further advance the move.

Finkgräfe, who is under contract until the summer of 2026, struggled with injuries last year and was only used irregularly. In the 2023/24 season, however, he was able to attract attention with solid performances, which meant that he played his way into the starting eleven and displaced Leart Pacarada. Prior to his current situation, Finkgräfe had intended to move to TSG Hoffenheim, however the club's interest waned, possibly due to the signing of Bernardo, another potential left-back.

Transfer history of 1. FC Köln

Finkgräfe's upcoming transfer is the first to bring in a fee for 1. FC Köln during this transfer window. Several players have previously left the club on free transfers, including Dejan Ljubicic and Mark Uth, who ended his career. The Cologne team has already signed two new players in the current transfer period: Ragnar Ache from Kaiserslautern and Isak Bergmann Johannessson from Fortuna Düsseldorf. The club paid a total of around nine million euros for these two players.

RB Leipzig, on the other hand, has already signed Ezechiel Banzuzi from OH Leuven for around 15 million euros and has signed Arthur Vermeeren from Atletico Madrid. Alongside Finkgräfe as their second new signing, Leipzig is aiming to increase its squad depth, particularly at left-back, with only German international David Raum available.

Market value and prospects

Finkgräfe's current market value is estimated at around four million euros after he made a total of 24 appearances in the last Bundesliga season, including one goal. He is therefore considered a strong candidate for the RB Leipzig squad, who had to deal with a tense situation at the left-back position last season. Both clubs urgently need support in this playing position, which made it easier to agree on the transfer of Finkgräfe.